Great Panther Mining conducting investigation, reviewing safety policies
Vancouver-based Great Panther Mining has announced the death of an employee at the processing plant of the company's Coricancha Mine Complex in Peru on Sunday, just 10 days after the death of another miner in a mine owned by the same company.
The incident occurred while the miners were undertaking further processing of stockpiles and limited mining following a bulk sample program that the company completed earlier this year, Great Panther said in a news release, adding that no one else was hurt.
The company said it immediately closed the plant area and informed the employee’s family members, government officials and local authorities. The area of the incident has been barricaded and closed off for investigation.
"We are extremely saddened by this tragic accident and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of our co-worker, an experienced plant operator who worked at the Coricancha Mine Complex for almost seven years,” said Great Panther interim president and CEO Jeffrey Mason.
Mason said that safety is a core value at the company, and it will “continue to strive to prevent such accidents from occurring.” It is currently completing an investigation into the incident and taking remedial action as well as conducting an in-depth review of its safety policies, programs and training across all locations.
The incident happened less than two weeks after another miner was killed in an isolated rock fall incident at the company’s San Ignacio underground mine in Mexico on Nov. 8. The victim was 41-year-old Jesus Demetrio Ramirez Bueno, who was employed by contractor Demili-Desarrollos Mineros Librado, according to the Canadian Press.
